I wish I had prepared to catch COVID-19

On December 31, my husband came home with news that we both feared for months: He had tested positive for COVID-19. A seemingly average seasonal cold actually turned out to be the virus. Three days later, a doctor confirmed that I too was a COVID stat in New York City. Somehow, even after nine months of the pandemic, we didn’t feel quite prepared.

This is what I wish we knew.

Be prepared with a home COVID kit. Fortunately, my husband and I had relatively mild cases that felt more like a cold in the early days. He ran a fever and neither of us had a cough. It wasn’t until day six or seven of our COVID timelines that we lost taste and smell – that would have been our big indicator, this was COVID if we hadn’t been tested before.

I say this because everyone should take even basic cold symptoms seriously. It is critical that you isolate yourself until you can get tested, which means you want to have a “COVID kit” of over-the-counter medications at home. This way, you don’t have to go to the pharmacy – and run the risk of infecting others – for basics like Tylenol, Cough Suppressant, Cough Drops, VapoRub, Sinus Decongestants, and Nighttime Emergency Medications. We read labels to see how ingredients interacted, and we kept track of when we took medications with a notepad on the refrigerator.

Other things you will want in your kit include a thermometer and maybe an oximeter, rubber or latex gloves and wipes or spray to disinfect common areas. This is especially important for those who live in apartment buildings and may still need to go outside (for example, to walk a dog).

Create a support plan. Many families create “contingency plans” with a protocol for what to do in an emergency. It’s good to have one in case a family member, especially someone you live with, tests positive. If parents are sick but the children remain healthy, discuss a strategy for keeping them safe and isolated from you.

Realistically, not everyone in the same household can isolate. Like many New Yorkers, we don’t have a second bathroom or guest bedroom, so when my husband tested positive it felt like a matter of time for me. But in the common areas, at least everyone can wear masks and gloves at home. You can also plan to have food delivered by friends, neighbors, or delivery services. You should also keep some canned or dried goods on hand in case it takes a day or two to get it all sorted out.

Look for free test sites. Part of your COVID plan should be knowing exactly where and how to get tested. Ideally, those who suspect a positive should seek drive-through testing sites to avoid being in confined spaces with others. You can also investigate whether your area offers free tests to reduce potential costs. Make sure to search government websites to avoid potential scams.

By the time I was able to get a testing appointment, I was pretty confident about the outcome. So I wore rubber gloves next to my mask when I went to CityMD to get tested. Even for the check-in process, I only used a gloved hand and brought wipes to disinfect things like iPads that I had to touch.

Prepare to negotiate medical bills. Many people will not have the same fairly mild COVID experience as I do and may eventually require hospitalization or additional doctor visits. Should you end up with medical bills, it is important to know that you have negotiating authority. First of all, you should request an itemized bill to check for possible errors or incorrect medical codes. Second, call the hospital directly and ask about income-related reduction programs. If you don’t qualify, you can ask to set up an installment plan or, if possible, see if you can get a discount for paying the lump sum upfront.

You should also call your doctor’s office within 60 days of your visit to follow up on any bills to avoid sending items to collections and damaging your credit score.

Don’t discount your mental health. This is one of the most difficult aspects of COVID-19. The isolation, combined with shame about contracting the disease and fear of who else could have put you at risk, can be overwhelming. Then there’s the stress that your illness could get worse at any time and put you on a ventilator. For those already prone to anxiety or depression, this can be a dangerous mix. Don’t dismiss the need to take your mental health seriously, especially if you live alone.

Make plans to have regular virtual contact with loved ones. There are also affordable teletherapy resources such as Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine, or apps such as Talkspace or Betterhelp. Your state may also offer options (New York State has a COVID-19 emotional support helpline).

I am optimistic that mass vaccination will allow the US to reopen safely and move us into a new normal. But that could take many more months. We all still need to be careful, take cold symptoms seriously, and be prepared for what lies ahead.